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Month: May 2014

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This is a strong showing for Tech but not a great showcase for the rest of the Strange label. Tech N9ne showcases everything that has made him a major label size player in an independent game. The only problem is that, with the exception of Murs, the rest of the people on his team seem to want to copy his style and flow to make a bigger name for themselves. They all seem to rap double time to keep pace with Tech and it doesn’t show the talents they have that got them their place on the roster in the first place.

The fact you have a bunch of similar sounding rappers to Tech N9ne on the album does detract from the album as a whole, but if you only listen to a one or a couple of tracks at a time, they come across as engaging and enjoyable, sometimes experimental, gems. Tracks like “Red Rags” come across as fantastic and energetic while having a lot of replay ability and other tracks such as “American Horror Story” are haunting and should be locked in a cage with guards watching it all day, every day.

The lyricism is still a heavy feature in this team’s album and it is clear that Tech N9ne is still razor sharp when it comes his own verses. The rest of his team are also lyrically able and some shine like Tech does, but with the copycat nature that was going on, then it makes it tricky to appreciate it for the whole album length.

The production is quality on this album and each tracks production helps lend to the atmosphere that the track wants to create. All of it is very tactfully done so that every track blends beautifully into each other so that unless you’re looking or already know, you can’t tell when one track ends and another begins.

In conclusion, get this album but don’t expect long listening sessions. Listen to this album and if you didn’t already, get to love Strange Music record label. They might not be a major label, but they are looking to be one of the more powerful independent labels in the Hip Hop scene and with one of the most influential independent musicians of the last couple of years as their head honcho, Strange music is shaping up to have a good year.

Another gritty street album hits the shelves with this release. Styles P brings his street experiences, with a slightly haunting atmosphere, to another retail release and it has a strange feel. There are some definite ground level tracks for bumping along to, but what feels like a large portion of the album feels more subdued and thoughtful than head banging and hard hitting.

Styles P hasn’t lost his lyrical edge, and at this quality of work, its looking like he never will. The razor sharp imagery he brings to this project is looking as top quality as any of his earlier work, but with the twist of it being a bit more thoughtful and precise.

The production on Phantom and the Ghost is clear and actually comes across as related to the projects name. Pretty much every track has a slightly spooky feel which fits perfectly with the name and creates a good atmosphere with the overall feel of the album.

As a member of the LOX, Styles P has a lot to live up to when it comes to ability and his standing in Hip Hop, and this album does not fail to live up to that standard. However the ghostly aspect of the album may not be for everyone, but it is definitely worth a few spins.